The morning light crept slowly through the small, square window above Dila's bed—just a narrow beam at first, like a gentle golden finger poking into the room. The heavy scent of herbs that once lingered in the air was now gone, replaced by something light and crisp… fresh morning air. It swirled through the cracks of the wooden door, brushing against Dila's cheek like nature's alarm clock.
She groaned softly, still curled sideways on the straw bed.
"Mmmmm…"
The covers rustled a little as she buried her face deeper into the makeshift pillow.
From outside, faint voices could be heard—soft at first, almost like background noise. But there was something about the tone… something familiar.
One was a calm, grounded man's voice. The other, a gentle but firm woman's voice. Both speaking in low murmurs with someone else. The healer, maybe?
Dila twitched slightly, her ear perking as her elf senses slowly caught on. But her sleepy brain fought back.
"Three more minutes…" she muttered like a stubborn child, face still smushed into the straw.
But then—
Her eyes snapped open, squinting toward the light.
"Wait a minute…" she whispered.
Her grogginess drained instantly, replaced by alertness and a rush of memory.
"Mr. Knight Hero… and the Priestess… they're here?"
She blinked and sat up slowly, wincing as her side ached from yesterday's wounds. The low hum of their voices continued outside—just beyond the door.
The healer's deeper chuckle mixed with their calm replies, as if explaining something. Probably about her. Probably right now.
Dila clutched the blanket instinctively, eyes wide, hair a fluffy silver mess.
"They're here. Those two… from the battle we fought."
Her heart beat faster—not from fear, but something else.
"What do I even say to them…?"
She didn't move yet. Just sat still in bed, listening.
Outside, footsteps shifted… closer to the door.
And than The door creaked open slowly.
The faint morning light spilled further in as the wooden frame gave way. A swish of fabric followed—curtains gently pushed aside by gloved fingers.
Three silhouettes stood in the doorway.
The first to speak was the man Knight hero, now wearing dark armor. His red cape flicked lightly with the breeze that slipped in behind him. His tone was relaxed, but carried a firmness that came from experience.
"Kid… you're alright," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips, his voice trying to hide just how relieved he really was.
Right after him, the Priestess leaned past his shoulder, eyes lighting up with joy.
"Kid!! You're really awake!" she exclaimed with a laugh, clapping her hands together and nearly bouncing.
Dila's ear twitched at the sudden shout. She groaned softly, shifting under the covers as if she were still waking from a long nap. Then, blinking a few times, she slowly sat up with a long stretch and a half-lidded gaze.
"Hey…" she muttered, rubbing her eyes groggily. "How long… have I been here actually?"
The knight hero chuckled, stepping inside fully, boots thudding softly on the wooden floor.
"Six days," he replied. "You've been out cold the whole time."
His armor clinked faintly as he moved—a sleek black now, polished and sturdy. It looked newer, but also heavier than what he wore before. The red cape was still there, slightly weathered but regal.
The Priestess stood beside him, dressed in her usual flowing robes, but her eyes sparkled as if seeing Dila safe made her entire week.
"I hope you recover well," she said sweetly, though her smile tilted playfully. She pressed her hands together and tilted her head as if she were casting a blessing, closing her eyes dramatically like a stage performer.
Behind them, the healer laughed with a loud, warm voice.
"What a lively bunch you have, kid," he said, stroking his beard. "Ahhh, hahaha!"
Dila stared at all of them for a moment. Her eyes softened a little.
Still groggy, still sore, and still wrapped in layers of bandages, she leaned slightly forward and sat upright on the straw bed. Her hair a bit of a mess, and her posture slouched, but her voice was steady.
"Yeah…" she breathed out, blinking slowly. "I guess I do."
Dila rubbed her temples a bit, letting out an exaggerated sigh as she shifted in her straw bed. Her expression was somewhere between annoyed and theatrical.
"You know what?" she muttered, lifting her gaze at the three. "Can you guys just stop calling me kid already? Seriously."
She moved her arms in a dramatic wave, gesturing at herself.
"I have a name, you know! My name is Dila, you know! I'm not just 'hey kid' or 'that kid over there'—ugh." She groaned and flopped back a little before propping herself up again. "Also, Hero—I woke up yesterday, so technically, it was five days, not six. Get your math right."
The Hero blinked, then let out a breathy chuckle. He placed a gloved fist gently over his chest and gave a respectful nod.
"That's a relief," he said. "Still... I'm glad to see you well, Dila."
The Priestess, who had been watching Dila with a bit of amused amazement, clasped her hands together again with delight.
"Ohh~! So that's your name," she said cheerfully. "Dila… that's such a cute name!"
"Nice name, indeed!" the healer bellowed from the side with a hearty laugh. "Ahhh hahahaha! Dila, huh? Has a good ring to it!"
The Hero gave a quiet nod, acknowledging it with a faint smile. His eyes, though calm, seemed to take note of the name like it mattered more than he let on.
Dila crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow. "Alright then. It's not fair if I'm the only one tossing out names here."
She pointed toward them, starting with the knight. "So, how about you all tell me yours? Seems fair, right?"
Then she added with a sigh and a half-smirk, "And hey… you can just call me Dila, you know."
She waited with an expectant look, one brow lifted higher than the other. Despite her injuries and exhaustion, a spark of curiosity flickered behind her tired eyes.
The room went quiet for a beat… until the knight finally stepped forward with a small smirk.
"My name is Sarios," he said simply. "Nice to meet you." He gave a short, respectful bow.
Dila blinked, eyebrows slightly raised.
He bowed?
She tilted her head, watching him for a moment.
Weird… isn't he nobler than me or something? Why bow to someone like me?
Then, turning her attention to the cheerful woman beside him, Dila cleared her throat. "Umm… and you, sister? What's your name?"
The Priestess beamed like sunlight. "I'm Stella! Nice to meet you!" she said with her usual bubbly cheer, clasping her hands together as if delighted by the question.
Dila nodded, then squinted toward the older man near the door, raising an eyebrow with a lopsided smirk. "And now you, old man. What do I call you?"
The man let out a deep chuckle, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Well now, you can call me Toi," he said. "But let's be honest, you'll probably forget all about me once you leave here, won't you?"
Dila narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion.
Yeah... probably.
But she gave a crooked grin. "Still, thanks for telling me your name."
Toi smiled warmly, his laughter softening. "I appreciate that, lass."
And with that, the introductions were finally out of the way—just enough to ease the tension. For now, that was enough.
The real journey… was only just beginning.